Chemotherapy is a treatment that kills cancer cells. This can occur either by itself or with other treatments. Chemotherapy is not appropriate for all cancer types. Ask your doctor for other options.
There are some risks to chemotherapy. Side effects such as nausea, reddening of blood, vomiting, diarrhea, loss appetite, and reduced red blood cells can all occur. The immune system can be affected by some drugs, which makes it less effective at fighting infection. You may need antibiotics to lower your risk of infection during chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy usually takes place in cycles of several weeks to a few months. The drugs are administered via a device that is inserted into a vein on the arm or chest. It takes about an hour to complete the treatment. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about side effects.
Your white blood cell count and red blood cells may decline during chemotherapy. This can cause fatigue, weakness, breathing problems, and other symptoms such as breathing difficulties. You may need a transfusion if your blood counts fall too low.
Some chemotherapy drugs can make food taste metallic. There are also possible side effects such as dry mouth, inflamed gums and ulcers. These side effects can be alleviated by gently brushing your teeth. You might also need to avoid spicy or acidic foods.
Your peripheral nerves may also be affected by chemotherapy. Some people experience tingling and numbness in the feet and hands. The majority of peripheral neuropathy symptoms disappear after treatment. The condition could be a symptom or sign of another problem. Talk to your doctor about any tingling or numbness you are experiencing.
Your oncologist could monitor the long-term impact of treatment. Regular blood tests might be necessary to check your PSA levels as well as kidney function. These tests may help your doctor figure out if chemotherapy works. If you have experienced severe side effects, it may be possible to stop the treatment.
Side effects of chemotherapy can make it difficult to manage. Your doctor and nurse will always direct you. Talk to your family members and other healthcare professionals about your concerns. They can help with side effects.
If you are experiencing difficulty dealing with side effects of chemotherapy you might need to make arrangements for assistance at work or at home. You may need arrangements to have food and water delivered to your home. A head covering may be an option. You may also want to discuss with your oncologist how to continue to have regular check-ups.
It is possible to discuss a potential bone marrow transfer with your doctor. This is used often to treat cancers in the bone marrow. It is not a cure for cancer, but it can help control rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It is also safe for pregnant women.
FAQ
What is the difference of public health and health policies?
In this context, the terms refer both to the decisions made and those of legislators by policymakers. These policies affect how we deliver healthcare services. The decision to build a hospital can be made locally, nationally, or regionally. Local, regional, and national officials may also decide whether employers should offer health insurance.
What are the various types of insurance for health?
There are three main types:
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Private health insurance covers all costs related to your medical care. This type of insurance is often purchased directly from private companies, so you pay monthly premiums.
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While public insurance covers the majority cost of medical care there are restrictions and limitations. Public insurance covers only routine visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as labs, Xray facilities, dental offices and prescription drugs. It also does not cover certain preventive procedures.
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To save money for future medical expenses, medical savings accounts (MSAs) can be used. The funds are held in a special account that is separate from any other kind of account. Most employers offer MSA plans. These accounts are non-taxable and accrue interest at rates similar that bank savings accounts.
What does "health promotion” actually mean?
Health promotion is helping people live longer, stay well, and be healthier. It focuses on preventing sickness rather than treating existing conditions.
It covers activities such:
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Eating right
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getting enough sleep
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exercising regularly
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Staying active is key to staying fit
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Do not smoke
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managing stress
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Keeping up to date with vaccinations
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avoiding alcohol abuse
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Regular screenings, checkups, and exams
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Learn how to deal with chronic illnesses.
What are the main functions and functions of a health-care system?
The health care system should provide adequate medical facilities for people who need them at a reasonable cost while ensuring access to quality services by all.
This includes providing health care and promoting healthy lifestyles. It also involves providing an equitable distribution of health resources.
Statistics
- The health share of the Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to continue its upward trend, reaching 19.9 percent of GDP by 2025. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Foreign investment in hospitals—up to 70% ownership- has been encouraged as an incentive for privatization. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Consuming over 10 percent of [3] (en.wikipedia.org)
- For the most part, that's true—over 80 percent of patients are over the age of 65. (rasmussen.edu)
- For instance, Chinese hospital charges tend toward 50% for drugs, another major percentage for equipment, and a small percentage for healthcare professional fees. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
How To
What is the Healthcare Industry Value Chain (or Value Chain)?
All activities that are involved in providing healthcare services for patients make up the healthcare industry value chain. This includes all business processes at hospitals and clinics. It also includes supply chains that connect patients to other providers like pharmacists and insurance companies. The result is a continuum which starts with diagnosis and ends in discharge.
The four key components of the value chain are:
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Business Processes - These consist of the tasks performed by individuals throughout the entire process of delivering health care. For example, a physician might perform an examination, prescribe medication, and then send a prescription to a pharmacy for dispensing. Each step of the process must be completed accurately and efficiently.
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Supply Chains: All the organizations involved in making certain that the right supplies reach all the people at the appropriate time. An average hospital has many suppliers. These include pharmacies, lab testing facilities and imaging centers.
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Networked Organisations - This is a way to coordinate all the entities. Hospitals are often composed of many departments. Each department will have its own set office and telephone number. The central point will allow employees to get up-to-date information from any department.
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Information Technology Systems (IT) - IT is essential in order for business processes to run smoothly. Without it, everything could go down quickly. IT also allows you to integrate new technologies in the system. Doctors, for example, can connect to a secure internet connection to access electronic medical records.